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E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $140 | ~$45 – $55 ~$55 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/7 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you.
- Go with Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).